Texas will be without a key defensive player in the first half of Friday’s matchup against Texas A&M.
In Monday’s media availability, head coach Steve Sarkisian said that the team’s appeal of Saturday’s targeting ruling against Texas linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith denied.
“I thought Ty’Anthony used really good fundamentals and techniques,” Sarkisian said. “He kept the crown of his helmet out of it. He wrapped. He didn’t launch himself into the receiver. We did appeal it, and our appeal was denied.”
Smith was ejected from the game in the second half against Arkansas after the play was reviewed and upheld. Since 2022, when targeting occurs in the second half of games, the carryover penalty can be appealed further if the team sends in footage to the NCAA to be reviewed.
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It could be another blow to the Longhorns’ defense, which was already without linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. against Arkansas on Saturday. However, Sarkisian said Saturday that the Longhorns expect to have him back.
Hill’s experience and ability to cover gaps will be necessary against the dual-threat quarterback Marcel Reed, especially without Smith on the field to help in the first half.
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